Chichester aces hope final won’t be a bridge too far

Chichester's national bridge finalists

Published:13:00Monday 10 October 2016

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Chichester Bridge Club secured a victory against a team from one of England’s top bridge clubs in the semi final match of the NICKO (National Inter Club Knockout) competition organised by the English Bridge Union.

The NICKO plate had 114 entrants this year from all over England. Having beaten two Brighton clubs, a Dorset club, and a Patcham team in earlier rounds, Chichester won their quarter-final in August against the West Sussex club who are based in Cuckfield and are the current Sussex champions.

The boys in our NICKO team have certainly shown our club have a very successful competitive edge which complements our teaching programme nicely.

Julie Jones

Now Chichester have won by 76-51 imps in the semi-final in a near-five-hour match played over 32 boards against a team from the Young Chelsea club, one of London’s biggest clubs.

Chichester Bridge Club meet at Bishop Luffa School and have nearly 200 members, making them one of the biggest clubs in Sussex – but up to now, success at a national level has eluded members.

The NICKO plate final is against a team from Derby in November over more than six hours at a neutral venue.

Julie Jones, who chairs Chichester Bridge Club, said: “We have always strived at the club to be fully comprehensive in catering for all abilities of bridge player, and to that end we run regular classes for beginners upward and also bridge sessions aimed at all abilities.

“Though we pride ourselves on our classes and integration of bridge learners, in catering for all abilities it is important the club have competitive players who can play in top tournaments and bring that expertise back to club nights.

“The boys in our NICKO team have certainly shown our club have a very successful competitive edge which complements our teaching programme nicely. We are extremely proud of them.”

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